by C. G.

Created on: October 30, 2009   Last Updated: November 02, 2009

The 5 Don'ts of Online Dating

Online dating, like traditional dating, has its fair share of dos and don'ts. While many standards of behavior are the same, the rules of online dating are a bit different. Whether you're new to dating online or just need a little guidance, here are 5 tips to help you avoid common online dating mistakes and find the man or woman of your dreams.

1. Don't lie

Nothing will repel a person faster than learning that his or her online suitor is a liar. Be truthful in your profile information! Don't lie about your age, your job, your income, or anything else for that matter. On a similar note, don't post a photo of you in your 30s if you're actually in your 50s, and don't even think about posting a photo of someone else! If things progress as you hope, you might meet in person one day and what could be more humiliating than being exposed as a fake?

2. Don't be inappropriate

Once you've found someone who's caught your eye, the last thing you want to do is scare them away by being inappropriate. One way to do this is to ask for nude or sexy photos or to bring up sex in the first few emails. Sex-obsessed suitors can be a big turn off, so tread carefully. It's fine to tell a woman you think she's beautiful, but not to comment on her rack.

3. Don't post incomplete or vague profile information

Your profile is the first thing a potential love match will see, so be sure to make it good! Don't post an incomplete profile, or a profile with minimal information. People who take the time to write full, developed profiles get better responses than those who write only a few words. Write about your interests, your likes and dislikes, what you're looking for in a match, etc. The more information you share, the better your chances of finding your perfect match!

4. Don't be needy

Imagine that you've found the person of your dreams. He or she seems good looking, intelligent, and charming so you send an introductory email. After a day or two, they don't reply so you send another email, then another and another and another. When you don't receive a reply after a week or so, you grow disgusted and perhaps send a curt message telling the person not to bother contacting you. While some people like persistence, others find it annoying or even frightening.

5. Don't be too aggressive

Once you've met someone special, don't scare them off by being too aggressive. While he or she likely appreciates your enthusiasm, prematurely pushing for a physical meeting and/or a sexual relationship is sure to make the person feel uneasy. Take your time. Get to know them first. There's no need into rush things. People who expect face-to-face meetings and marriage too soon are often disappointed.

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